Former Johnson & Johnson employee says firing was racially motivated

A former Johnson & Johnson employee says that she lost her job because she complained about racial discrimination in the workplace, according to a federal civil suit filed at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Nichole Daley, a Pennsylvania resident, seeks compensation for back pay and future potential earnings, punitive damages and coverage for court costs for what she says is a violation of her civil rights.

According to the complaint, Darley was the only African-American employee who worked at Johnson & Johnson's corporate headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J., as the manager for North America and Global Learning Technology between March 2005 and May 2012. Darley states in the claim that she performed her duties without any problems, but felt that her supervisor treated her differently.

The complaint says that Darley met with a human resources representative in 2010 to discuss her concerns. During the meeting, however, the HR rep did not make any notes, nor did any representative follow-up or investigate the complaint.

In November 2010, Darley went out on short term disability due to stress created by the discriminatory treatment, court documents say. She switched to long term disability between May 2011 and May 2012. After cleared to return to work, Darley phoned human resources to find an available job. A return voicemail from an HR representative told Darley that no jobs were available, effectively terminating her employment, the suit claims. Darley believes the loss of her employment was racially motivated and retaliation for her complaint.

Darley accuses Johnson & Johnson of intentional and malicious actions that were in reckless disregard of her right to be free from discrimination. The claim says she has suffered a loss of income and professional opportunities, embarrassment, anxiety and mental anguish.

Darley is represented by Philadelphia-based attorney Robert Vance, Jr.

The federal case ID number is 5:14-cv-02723-EGS.